JPDL is one of the most recognisable names on the music scene in Gloucestershire.

Best known for rapping and his collaborations with local producer Yogi Beats, JPDL – also known as Dave – has become something of a go-to man for local gigs and events like the Rooftop and King’s Jam Festivals.

With gigs all around the county, it’s safe to say last year was definitely a busy one for him.

“2019 was definitely a lot of fun!” he said.

“Me and Yogi put out an album that got pressed to vinyl and was featured as a small exhibition in the Wilson art gallery.

“Some very interesting commission pieces, being nominated for Gloucestershire Poet Laureate, and signed to Played Out Records, would be a few of the highlights.

“But meeting all the funky party people that I have crossed paths with over the summer and all the other events is the real gold of the year for me.”

JPDL – which is Dave’s full initials, or alternatively as he puts it “just please don’t listen” – is originally from Cheltenham. And, after living in places like Winchcombe and Gloucester, now lives in Whaddon.

He’s been performing for over a decade, first getting on stage aged 17, and now runs rap and beatbox workshops for people all ages.

He continued: “I would describe what I do as hip hop, but like the genre of hip hop itself I tried to be as versatile as I can.

“I do a lot of acapella, spoken word poetry and also double time rap on everything from UK garage to ska to reggae and funk.”

And that versatility comes in handy, as JPDL can often be found collaborating with some of the best local talent around.

This year he has performed with the likes of Grove at the WOMAD Festival, and of course regularly features alongside Yogi Beats.

“I feel truly lucky to be able to work with such a talented bunch of artists and even more blessed that I can call them friends,” he said.

“I feel like collaboration with other artists can really help with level of technique and skill as a writer.”

When it comes to writing new music, Dave says the process is not only enjoyable, but also a way to fully express his feelings, something that he admits can be a struggle.

“I find the song writing and creative process very therapeutic and cathartic. I can talk about how I really feel in this form of rhythmic rhyme in a completely real context, which is something I find really hard to do in conversation.

“There is something very free and honest about rap. For example, writing about losing my dad when I was a teenager was a really important learning curve for me.

“I realised that writing your thoughts down on the page can help you assess them in a different way and lift the pressure they can have a little bit.”

And when it comes to getting on stage and performing his songs, laying his soul bare is no problem.

“What I enjoy most about performing is the idea of someone relating to what I have written,” he explained.

“For instance I’ve got songs about mental health and grief that are very honest. If someone can listen to one of those songs or pieces of poetry and feel like they’re not alone in their struggle then I find that incredibly rewarding.

“I guess that’s why I write and perform. Also, I have no other skills whatsoever, I’ve got to keep occupied doing something!”

2020 will surely be another busy year for JPDL, with plans already in place to release brand new music.

He added: “Me and Yogi have an album coming out that we’re both really proud of.

“It will have loads of featuring artists on it that we both really respect so I’m looking forward to that dropping for sure.”

To keep up to date with JPDL you can follow him on Facebook www.facebook.com/jpdl2 or Instagram @JPDLUKHH